Podcasts about The Detroit News

Day Break | Inflation, Energy, and Election Battles --- 00:00 - Monologue 19:14 – Kent Strang, Managing Director for Americans for Prosperity. Strang discusses recent inflation trends, economic policy, and ongoing debates surrounding the Jones Act. He explains how AFP views inflation's impact on consumers and businesses and why some policymakers are advocating reforms to maritime shipping regulations. 28:11 – Erik Holt, former federal employee and rural Colorado fire chief. Holt discusses his allegations of election irregularities, the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, and his ongoing federal court appeal. The conversation focuses on whistleblower protections, election administration, and government accountability. 38:26 - Monologue 47:25 – Laura C. Volpe, Founder of ManeInk HairLoss Solutions. Volpe discusses hair health, hair loss prevention, and the benefits of HydraLift Shampoo. The conversation covers common causes of hair thinning and practical strategies for maintaining healthy hair and scalp health. 57:33 – Paul Teller, President of Teller Strategies and former Trump-Pence White House advisor. Teller discusses the economic impact of tariffs, arguing that trade policy can affect affordability, consumer prices, and economic opportunity. He outlines policy proposals he believes could help strengthen economic growth and expand access to the American Dream. 1:06:30 – David Covey, newly elected Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. Covey discusses leadership changes within the Texas Republican Party following its convention and analyzes the political prospects of Texas state representative James Talarico and other emerging figures in Texas politics. 1:16:39 - Monologue 1:25:39 – James David Dickson, Michigan-based strategist, founder of the Make Politics Local Again (MPLA) movement, and host of the James Dickson Podcast. Dickson discusses Michigan's ongoing energy policy debate, including criticism of Governor Whitmer's green energy initiatives and concerns about how energy costs affect Michigan families and businesses. 1:35:48 – Kaitlyn Buss, columnist for The Detroit News. Buss discusses controversy surrounding proposed data center developments in Michigan, including concerns raised by residents and comments from Governor Whitmer regarding public input, economic development, and energy infrastructure planning. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... Episode 19 is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/rulxGa_tTeE

Hosts Adolph Mongo, Vanessa Moss and Allan Lengel talk about pressing issues of the week including whether Mayor Mary Sheffield should take any responsibility while sitting on boards.The Detroit News reported this week as council member president, Sheffield sat on the People Mover board but never attended a meeting from 2023 to 2025 while an official for the agency was involved in a $300,000 kickback scheme. Sheffield also sat on the board of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy when CFO William A. Smith was busted for stealing more than $40 million.They also talk about President Trump's name being removed from the Kennedy Center, media coverage of the city and the delay in the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #182 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-16:10: The Establishment MachineLeft of Lansing's Pat Johnston cites another insightful article by Danielle Moody & Jared Yates Sexton from The DAM Digest (we mistakenly gave credit to Sexton's "Dispatches From A Collapsing State," but please visit there, too!), on how the political establishment wants to keep the working class trapped in a cycle of comfort. While The Epstein Class keeps gaining more power and more wealth as it's never being held accountable for its crime and corruption, political and corporate media elites join forces to blunt a progressive-populist movement. But as we're seeing across the nation, and in Michigan, the working class is beginning to rise-up by backing progressive-populist campaigns. 16:11-32:00: Establishment Machine Part 2Pat continues explaining the ways the elite corporate and political establishment machine keeps enriching their power and wealth while telling the working class there's not much they can do. Whether it's the Trump Regime's & Israel's War on Iran, or high inflation, or government working with data centers, or how Michigan political elites created cushy government pensions while working on decimating working class programs, The Establishment believes the working class will just accept the system as is. And it did for a long time, but not anymore.33:00-42:31: Why Pat Waves Stars & StripesIn the "Last Call," Pat explains why he proudly waves the American Flag, especially while living in these authoritarian times. 42:32-44:26: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"The Comfort of the Cage: Why America Chooses Complicity Over Accountability." By Danielle Moody & Jared Yates Sexton of The DAM Digest"41 former Michigan lawmakers collecting six-figure 'Cadillac' pensions." By Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News "UAW Endorses Secretary Jocelyn Benson and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Critical Michigan Races for Governor and U.S. Senate." By The United Auto Workers "Michigan Civil War Gov. Austin Blair is only person honored with statue at Capitol." By Alyssa Burr of MLive.com "Trump has a new, surprising take on the higher cost of living: ‘I love the inflation.'" By Josh Boak of The AP "House votes down Tlaib measure to withdraw U.S. troops from Lebanon." By Melissa Nann Burke of The Detroit News #podcast #politics #Progressives #Democrats #Michigan #Trump #Republicans #MAGA #workingclass #Establishment #Populism #Economy #Inflation #Jobs #IranWar #Israel #AIPAC #IranWar #Lebanon #War #DefenseSpending #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #DataCenters #BigTech #EpsteinClass #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens Donors #RashidaTlaib #GovernmentCorruption #GrahamPlatner #Election #Authoritarianism #Fascism #WhiteChristianNationalism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

June 11, 2026 ~ Detroit News reporter Beth LeBlanc talks with Paul W about how 41 former Michigan lawmakers are collecting six-figure 'Cadillac' pensions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SportsWrap | Seg 3 | June 10, 2026 | Anthony and Lomas Talk to Guest Tony Paul About Detroit News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed director and the founder of Plowshares Theatre Gary Anderson plus playwright Cándido Tirado to discuss the world premiere of “Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within,” an original play written by Tirado.“Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within” dramatizes the life of baseball great Roberto Clemente, one of the few Latin athletes who recognized his African ancestry. From his origins in Puerto Rico to his lengthy professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente advocated for the civil rights of Black and Latino individuals both in and outside of baseball.They also took some time to discuss data centers and their potential impact on the community following Governor Gretchen Whitmer's controversial appearance at OpenAI's data center groundbreaking in Saline and a proposed data center on Detroit's east side.To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:WOMEN ARE DYING AT MICHIGAN'S ONLY FEMALE PRISON, AND LAWMAKERS ARE DEMANDING CHANGES Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

SportsWrap | Full Show | June 10, 2026 |Cover headlines Anthony and Lomas Talk Game 4 Stanley Cup and NBA Finals and Talk to Guest Tony Paul About Detroit News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 525 - Why Is 2026 The End Of The ROCKET CLASSIC? A surprising announcement came from the Rocket Classic team early in the week of June 8th, informing everyone that the 2026 edition of the tournament would be the last. This, following a massive course renovation at Detroit Golf Club that was intended to keep the course "Tour ready" for years to come. So what happened? We're joined by the reporter who broke the story - Tony Paul of The Detroit News - to dig into the behind the scenes story. ---------------- Subscribe to the FGN Podcast Watch FGN videos on YouTube Check out our other sports pod: Church Pew Sports TEXT or CALL (989) 272-2383 to share your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and questions      

June 9, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson talk with Grant Schwab, Washington correspondent for The Detroit News, about gas prices and their impact on the auto industry. Have automakers learned from past crises? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 9, 2026 ~ Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for The Detroit News discussing some good news on the Gordie Howe Bridge. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 8, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson discuss Social Security's looming insolvency with Nolan Finley, Detroit News columnist. They explore why candidates avoid the topic and Michigan's unique vulnerability to cuts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 5, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick speaks with Beth LeBlanc, a Detroit News reporter. They discuss Michigan's new wholesale marijuana tax. It generates less revenue than expected for road repairs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 5, 2026 ~ Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, co-author of “The Civility Book A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political Divide” by Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson With Lynne Golodner discusses the Senate vote to fund immigration enforcement and Trump saying Bill Pulte's new roll is only temporary. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 4, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson discuss Priority Waste's service issues. Max Bryan, from the Detroit News, reports on communities considering lawsuits and fines against the company. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed the latest member of the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network, Kamaria Gray, to discuss her newly released podcast “Roots & Wonder.” Roots & Wonder Podcast is a storytime space where little ones are invited to slow down, listen closely, and remember.Each episode retells beloved African folktales carried across generations through voice, rhythm, and imagination.They also took some time to break down what's happening with the contaminated demolition dirt in the city, which some believe led to the conclusion of Mike Duggan's Gubenatorial campaign. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:MONEY OUT OF POLITICS BALLOT INITIATIVE TURNS IN 561K SIGNATURES Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

June 3, 2026 ~ Detroit News reporter Melissa Nann Burke breaks down the appointment of Bill Pulte as National Intelligence Chief and explores his connections to Michigan and what this could mean politically. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 1, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson talk with Chad Livengood, politics editor and columnist at The Detroit News. They discuss data center secrecy and the lack of transparency, a major cause of distrust in Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 1, 2026 ~ Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News discusses a judge blocking President Trump's $1.9 billion lawfare fund and the cancellation of the America 250 concert. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 22, 2026 ~ Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, co-author of “The Civility Book A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political Divide” by Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson With Lynne Golodner discusses his column “Duggan's out, along with hope of uniting Michigan.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 21, 2026 ~ David Shepardson, covers transportation, autos and aviation for Reuters, formally of the Detroit News discusses the Detroit bound flight that was diverted to Canada due to Ebola concern. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 19, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson speak with Beth LeBlanc, a Detroit News reporter. They discuss Michigan's population decline and its potential effects on the state's future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson spoke with Nolan Finley, a Detroit News columnist. They discussed the Michigan Education Association's endorsement hesitation in the Democratic primary. Mike Duggan's independent candidacy added to the race's complexity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 2026 ~ Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News discusses a busy week of primaries coming up this week. Will the Trump effect have an impact? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson talk with Coty M. Davis, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News. They discuss the Pistons' must-win Game Six against the Cavaliers and player injuries. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We are joined by The Angel of The Big House, Angelique Chengelis with The Detroit News!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special live episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the producer of Authentically Detroit, Sarah Johnson and Jerjuan Howard, the owner of the newly opened Howard Family Bookstore for a powerful evening rooted in storytelling, reflection, and community.The discussion surrounded the creation of Divining Freedom, a novel written by Donna. This multigenerational story explores the legacy of the Great Migration, the building of Black institutions, and the women who carry communities forward when systems failed them.They also spoke with JerJuan about his writing journey, and what it means to create and share Black literature within Black-owned spaces. The conversation serves as a reminder that storytelling is not only an art form, but a way of preserving memory, challenging systems, and imagining new possibilities for our communitiesTo purchase copies of Divining Freedom, click here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

May 13, 2026 ~ Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, co-author of “The Civility Book A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political Divide” by Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson With Lynne Golodner discusses President Trump landing in China and new polling on Governor, President and Senate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 11, 2026 ~ Jason Roe and Lloyd Jackson talk with Richard Burr, Metro Editor at The Detroit News, about Michigan's rising gas prices. They cover causes like global tensions and refinery issues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day Break | Free Speech, Free For All Friday --- 00:00 - Monologue / Callers 28:09 – Susan Kokinda, author and organizer with Promethean Action. Kokinda discusses political developments in Canada and concerns surrounding Mark Carney's leadership and globalist influence. She also examines broader international political dynamics and their impact on U.S.-Canada relations. 38:25 - Monologue Featuring Ivey Gruber 57:39 – Rep. Tim Walberg, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 5th District. Walberg discusses the importance of coal and domestic natural resources in America's energy future. He also talks about Motorcycle Awareness Month, concerns over AI-controlled vehicle technology, and increasing surveillance capabilities. 1:06:35 – Steve Abramowicz, author, former Wall Street professional, and host of the Heartland Journal Podcast. Abramowicz discusses Tennessee's redistricting map and the political battles surrounding representation and electoral strategy. 1:16:46 - Monologue 1:25:44 – Steve Dulan, professor and licensed attorney. Dulan breaks down issues surrounding redistricting, gerrymandering, and debates involving Supreme Court justices. He explains how these legal and political fights could shape future elections. 1:35:52 – Rep. Steve Carra, Michigan State Representative for District 36. Carra discusses a Detroit News investigation that prompted action from Attorney General Dana Nessel involving Fay Beydoun. He explains why the case has drawn significant political attention. 1:44:43 – Ivey Gruber, President of the Michigan Talk Network. Gruber discusses stores using electronic pricing tags capable of changing prices in real time and the legal questions surrounding the technology. The segment also includes listener calls and reactions to current headlines. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... Episode 13 is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/iBGFsN7Xtbg

In this special live episode, Donna and Orlando reunite for a book talk at the Charles H. Wright Museum in collaboration with Next Chapter Books. This compelling book talk featured two exceptional Detroit authors: Aaron Robertson, author of The Black Utopians, and Michelle Adams, author of The Containment. Together, they explored the enduring relevance of Black Utopia, freedom, and justice in a timely conversation about history, place, and the futures we imagine.To purchase copies of The Black Utopians and/or The Containment, click here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

May 8, 2026 ~ Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News discusses John James and Perry Johnson's petition signatures being called into question. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On episode 130 of Native Land Pod, hosts Angela Rye, Andrew Gillum, and Bakari Sellers are joined by guest Elie Mystal. Elie Mystal is an author, commentator, and the justice correspondent for The Nation. His fiery prose on the Supreme Court and legal issues writ large are unmatched, and in a seismic week for voting rights America, it’s a good time to welcome Elie home. The Supreme Court has fast-tracked their recent ruling which gutted what remained of the Voting Rights Act. They are allowing Southern states to change their electoral maps BEFORE the midterm elections, which will almost certainly dilute Black voting power. Our SCOTUS expert, Elie Mystal, weighs in. FOR YOUR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: 1. Primary Results in Ohio and Indiana test President Trump’s influence on Republican Primaries. 2. The Detroit News caught a Michigan Senate candidate calling for intimidation at Detroit polling precincts. 3. Trump’s Medicaid cuts are becoming a reality in Nebraska, where they went into effect on May 1st. It will be the first test of how many people lose their insurance due to new work requirements. 4. Trump Praises the Confederate General, Robert E. Lee, and says that he almost won the Civil War. 5. South Carolina State University rescinded an invitation to SC’s Lt. Governor Pamela Evette to speak at graduation. In response, South Carolina Republican officials threatened to pull SCSU’s funding. 6. On Sunday, a federal judge reinstated New Orleans Court Clerk, Calvin Duncan. But then Louisiana won an appeal with the 5th US Circuit Court to keep Duncan out of office… for now. Calvin Duncan was democratically elected, winning 68% of the vote. READ MORE: Callais is a J6er: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/bert-callais-plaintiff-case-gutted-voting-rights-act-election-conspiracist-jan-6/ Bakari on SCSU v. the Lt. Governor: https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/sc-state-pamela-evette-students-protest/article_8dfec209-6579-404c-b242-3595985c6bba.html If you’d like to submit a question, check out our tutorial video: http://www.instagram.com/reel/C5j_oBXLIg0/ and send to @nativelandpod. We are 180 days away from the midterm elections. Welcome home y’all! —--------- We want to hear from you! Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast. Instagram X/Twitter Facebook NativeLandPod.com Watch full episodes of Native Land Pod here on YouTube. Native Land Pod is brought to you by Reasoned Choice Media. Thank you to the Native Land Pod team: Angela Rye as host, executive producer, and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Andrew Gillum as host and producer, Bakari Sellers as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; LoLo Mychael is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media. Theme music created by Daniel Laurent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coty M. Davis, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, joins Afternoon Drive on The Fan. He talks about his takeaways from the Pistons win in Game 1, how JB Bickerstaff has built his team in Detroit, the adjustments that both teams can make in the series, and more.

Nick and Jonathan are joined by Coty M. Davis, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News. Then, they discuss their expectations for Donovan Mitchell in Game 2, and they react to Todd McShay's breakdown of Brendan Sorsby.

No BS Newshour Episode #416“I Got the Dirt on Duggan”(31:57) Real estate mogul and former Duggan-backer backtracks. Herb Strather promises to take the “little guy” out. If Duggan goes low, he'll go lower.Duggan told him: “I hope you have a good lawyer.”Strather responds: Bring it on. “If you ain't found something to die for, you're gonna die for nothing.”(0:04) The Detroit News sells what's left of its soul(56:58) PLUS- Our new segment See You Next Tuesday. MI State Senator Mallory McMorrow's too dumb to move. (1:04:30)But not the guy without the shirt. Watch him steal the car that hit him.⁠NBN on YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBSNewshourNBN on iTunes⁠⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-bs-newshour-with-charlie-leduff/id1754976617NBN on Spotify⁠⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qMLWg6goiLQCRom8QNndC⁠⁠Like NBN on Facebook⁠⁠:  https://www.facebook.com/LeDuffCharlie⁠⁠Follow to NBN on Twitter : https://x.com/charlieleduff Sponsored by American Coney Island, Pinnacle Wealth Strategies, and XG Service Group

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empowerment Plan, Veronika Scott, plus Chief Executive Officer of COTS Detroit, Cheryl P. Johnson, to discuss their 16-year partnership - centering a shared mission of providing emergency help for people experiencing homelessness and providing pathways out of generational poverty.The Coalition On Temporary Shelter's (COTS) dedication to the needs of homeless men, women, and children grew out of a meeting in 1981 between a group of church leaders and human service providers in downtown Detroit. Officially formed in 1982, they have a mission to address Detroit's homelessness crisis by providing shelter and essential services that help participants achieve self-sufficiency.On March 17th, Empowerment Plan - a Detroit-based, workforce development organization that produces sleeping bag coats for people experiencing homelessness - distributed its milestone 100,000th coat to COTS Detroit, its longest-running partner. Started by Veronika Scott in 2015, The Empowerment Plan creates significant economic impact by serving as a stepping stone out of poverty into a state of stability. The core of their work stems from an intensive 2-year employment model focused on providing job readiness training and support services to their workforce. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:SUPREME COURT GUTTING OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT STRIPS BLACK POLITICAL POWER, EXPERTS SAYBERNIE SANDERS DRAWS HUNDREDS IN DETROIT AS PROGRESSIVES PICK BETWEEN EL-SAYED, MCMORROWSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

© Clay Jones – https://claytoonz.substack.com On our political radar this week… The Trump Retribution Parade continues as his Department of Payback indicts James Comey for posting a picture of sea shells on social media. If that doesn’t work, they could try claiming the 6-foot-8 Comey's height poses an imminent threat to the safety of the President. New polling from the Detroit Chamber shows “Undecided” remains the leader in Michigan Democrats' battle for the U.S. Senate nomination. There's a new controversy in that race, with long-ago Tweets from Mallory McMorrow coming back to haunt her. Among Republicans, John James continues to lead Perry Johnson, Mike Cox, and the rest of the field. The one no-contest race: Jocelyn Benson has a 58-point lead in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. The US Supreme Court has effectively repealed the last remnants of the Voting Rights Act, setting the stage for a possible new round of partisan gerrymanders. It comes as the last four black Republicans in Congress retire, leaving the GOP with the prospect of no black House members in 2027. The impact goes beyond the U.S. House of Representatives. In Michigan, it effectively eliminates majority-minority as a criterion for Michigan's Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission when it draws future state legislative district maps – quite possibly before the 2028 elections. The Donald Trump narcissism parade continues to grow. The latest: His snarling mug will now appear on commemorative U.S. passports, although Trump-free passports will continue to be available. And King Charles presented him with the ship's bell from the World War II submarine HMS Trump. One ominous sign: that ship was sold off and broken up for scrap in August 1971.  In response to the war of words over election integrity, Secretary of State Benson has announced that 2.1 million outdated voter registrations have been canceled since 2019 or are in the cancellation process. For the first time ever, this includes over 180,000 dormant registrations of people who haven't voted in a single election in the last 20 years or longer. Control of the state Senate will be decided Tuesday when voters in Michigan's 35th Senate District will decide whether Democrat Chedrick Greene or Republican Jason Tunney will represent them for the rest of the year in Lansing. The district includes Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties. The Democrats are heavily favored to win and maintain control of the Senate. The quote of the week comes from The Bulwark's Tim Miller: We're in the Fat Elvis era of the Trump presidency. A note on the passing of Senator Don Riegle. First elected to the U.S. House from Flint in 1966, he served 5 terms and then 3 terms in the Senate, where he succeeded the legendary Phil Hart. He was one of the few people ever elected to Congress from both parties, switching from Republican to Democrat in protest of the Vietnam War and the corruption of the Nixon administration. We also lost a friend of this podcast, former Detroit News reporter and later Department of Justice lawyer Jim Mitzelfeld. Jim and his reporting partner Eric Freedman won a Pulitzer Prize for their uncovering of a million-dollar corruption scandal in the state House Fiscal Agency. Jim died of melanoma a day short of his 65th birthday.   Joining the conversation this week is President of End Citizens United, Tiffany Muller. Mark and Walt Sorg talked with Tiffany Muller. She simultaneously leads the affiliated groups Let America Vote, and the End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund – organizations dedicated to reversing what many consider one of the worst rulings of the Supreme Court in the last century which opened the floodgates for dark money funding of political campaigns. Since joining ECU, Tiffany has helped grow the group from a start-up to a nationwide organization with more than 4 million members and 1 million grassroots donors.

This week on the Hemp Show, we talk to Kehrt Reyher, CEO and publisher of HempToday, a leading source of global hemp news. An American expat from Indiana who has lived in Poland for more than 30 years, Reyher cut his teeth in journalism at U.S. newspapers like the Providence Journal and USA Today before moving overseas and launching a successful media company in Warsaw. Since founding HempToday in 2015, he has become a trusted voice covering industrial hemp policy, international markets, CBD regulation and the ongoing fight to define what "true hemp" really means. In this episode, we dig into the Lawful Hemp Protection Act introduced by Kentucky congressman Andy Barr, the future of CBD regulation in both the U.S. and Europe and why intoxicating hemp products have done lasting damage to the broader hemp industry. We discuss Poland's Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants, the upcoming European Industrial Hemp Association conference in Poznań, Australia and New Zealand's more practical hemp policies, hemp construction materials, micro-decorticators and why hemp must find its place inside larger natural fiber and biobased building markets. As Kehrt puts it: true hemp is about fiber, food, and real industrial systems — not gas-station gummies. This episode is a wide-ranging conversation about journalism, policy, construction, agriculture and the long unfinished work of building a real hemp economy. Learn More HempToday hemptoday.net European Industrial Hemp Association Conference eiha-conference.org Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants iwnirz.pl News Nuggets Draft bill in U.S. would wipe out intoxicants, rescue CBD, but what about 'true hemp'? hemptoday.net/draft-bill-in-u-s-would-wipe-out-intoxicants-rescue-cbd-but-what-about-true-hemp Sponsor Links IND HEMP indhemp.com King's Agriseeds kingsagriseeds.com Robot Food: In this episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock sits down with Kehrt Reyher, publisher of HempToday and a longtime journalist covering the global industrial hemp industry. An American expat living in Poland for more than 30 years, Kehrt brings decades of experience from U.S. newspapers like the Providence Journal, Detroit News, and USA Today, along with deep international knowledge of hemp policy, CBD regulation, and industrial hemp supply chains across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The conversation focuses on the growing divide between "true hemp" and the intoxicating hemp market. Eric and Kehrt discuss the Lawful Hemp Protection Act introduced by Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr, which aims to regulate synthetic intoxicating hemp products while preserving a legal path for wellness CBD. They examine how gas-station THC products and unregulated intoxicants have damaged the hemp brand and distracted policymakers from the original promise of the 2018 Farm Bill: building markets for hemp fiber, hemp grain, animal feed, and industrial hemp processing infrastructure. Kehrt explains why he defines true hemp as the stalk and the seed—fiber, food, and industrial applications rather than cannabinoids alone. The episode explores the future of hemp construction materials, hempcrete, prefab building systems, and hemp-based bricks, along with broader conversations about biobased building materials and sustainable agriculture. They also discuss small-scale decortication systems, modular hemp processing, and why industrial hemp must compete within the larger natural fiber economy alongside flax, jute, and other bast fibers. The episode also highlights the upcoming European Industrial Hemp Association conference in Poznań, Poland, hosted at the historic Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants. Kehrt shares why he believes Australia and New Zealand are currently leading the world in sensible hemp policy and why Europe continues to offer stronger support for bio-based materials and industrial hemp development. This is a wide-ranging conversation about journalism, regulation, sustainability, and the long-term future of industrial hemp as a serious agricultural and manufacturing sector.

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #176 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast00:00-17:05: MI Senate Race/Gas Prices & BallroomsPat Johnston opens the show talking about The Trump Regime's push to make taxpayers fund Dear Leader's precious little ballroom. The economy is cratering for the working class, gas prices are nearing record highs, we've spent around $50 Billion so far for Trump's & Israel's unconstitutional War on Iran, inflation is getting worse, and we can't afford health insurance, but we have to pay for a $400 million ballroom to wine & dine The Epstein Class? Then, Pat gives some of the latest news surrounding the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate race, and it appears progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is the new leader.17:06-40:05: Ivan Diaz For MI State Senate 29 InterviewProgressive Ivan Diaz, Democratic candidate for Michigan's State Senate 29 District, talks about his campaign and the working class vision he wants to bring the state Senate. Mr. Diaz is a former Kent County Commissioner, and has been involved in his community for his adult life. He's a believer in a decent minimum wage, in a single payer system in Michigan, and in bringing a passionate voice for the working class in his district and throughout the state. Visit Ivan Diaz's campaign: https://voteivandiaz.com/Visit Ivan Diaz on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078727971393Visit Ivan Diaz on Instagram40:06--48:37: Last Call-SCOTUS Kills VRAIn this week's "Last Call," Pat shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court's MAGA majority's decision to essentially eradicate the Voting Rights Act. 48:38-50:46: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinClick here to vote on the LOL Weekly Web Poll!NOTES:"As McMorrow X posts resurface with complaints about Michigan, California love — opponents pounce." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "The New Democratic Machine — And The Billionaires Behind It." By Luke Goldstein & Katya Schwenk of The Lever "Turnaround: New poll shows Haley Stevens with slim U.S. Senate lead." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press "Leaked records show Democrats lined up behind UM board challenger." By Craig Mauger of The Detroit News (via AOL News)"As Michigan preps for new Medicaid requirements, leaders and advocates push for dedicated funding." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Over half of Americans say their finances are worsening, Gallup poll finds." By Aimee Picci of CBS News "Congressional Republicans are split on using taxpayer funds to build Trump's ballroom." By Sahil Kapur, Scott Wong, and Frank Thorp V of NBC News "Supreme Court guts Voting Rights Act, greenlights GOP gerrymanders." By Jim Saska of Democracy Docket #podcast #politics #progressives #DemocraticSocialist #DemocraticSocialism #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Michigan #AbdulElSayed #Election2026 #MalloryMcMorrow #HaleyStevens #War #IranWar #Israel #GasPrices #Affordability #Economy #WorkingClass #EpsteinClass #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovenrmentCorruption #TrumpCorruption #Ballroom #SCOTUS #VotingRights #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

In this episode, Donna and Sam introduce the latest segment on Authentically Detroit, What's Happening at ECN featuring Outreach Manager for the Housing & Economic Department at Eastside Community Network, Kevin Ashwood.Kevin leads resident engagement, community outreach, and program education efforts centered on housing stability, wealth building, and neighborhood empowerment across Detroit's Eastside.They also introduce the latest addition to the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network, 482Forward Education Organizer, Arlyssa Heard. Arlyssa is taking 482Forward's mission and turning it into a podcast! Have You Heard? Is a podcast dedicated to addressing school reform from all angles. Whether it be students, teachers, parents, or administrators - Arlyssa wants to talk to them all and get to the bottom of one question - how can we produce better outcomes for our students?To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

On Today's Episode –Mark and Donna start off talking about President Trump's latest victories, and the differences between The President and the Democrats. It becomes glaringly clear that The Left makes policy for policy's sake, and how Trump makes things happen.We jump into Earth Day – 1970 founded, celebrated in 90 countries around the world – lets look at some predictions. Mass starvation by 1980 and overpopulation. World headed for new Ice Age. Entire nations will be under water by rising tides. I mean come on, where is the accountability for the quacks making these predictions.Donna then gets into HUD, and homes and how President Trump has been helping new home buyers.Tune in for all the Funhttps://www.cfact.org/ Donna Jackson, CFACT policy analyst, is a seasoned businesswoman with public and private sector experience and has spent decades as a pro-energy advocate for the minority population, through her advocacy work with Congressional leaders and ministry leaders. She is a sought-after speaker, who has frequently testified before Congressional leaders on the plight of debilitating energy policies on minorities and low-income populations. Her media appearances include Newsmax, One America News Network, NTD TV, BEK TV, and national radio network shows. Her op-eds have appeared online and in print in national publications such as the Washington Times, Daily Caller, Inside Sources, FOX News, the Detroit News, Sacramento Observer, Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Federalist and the Washington Examiner. Donna earned a Bachelor of Accountancy (cum laude) from the California State University San Marcos. She has worked in accounting, auditing, tax and management roles with major companies such as Ernst Young, Cardinal Health and Marriott International in the private sector before serving in the public sector as the vice president and deputy controller for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. She is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants. Prior to her career in accounting, Donna was a political operative in the state of Arkansas, having worked on the successful campaigns of former Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Tim Hutchinson and Representative (later Governor) Asa Hutchinson. She played a vital role during the Huckabee governorship in recruiting black candidates for executive-appointed boards and commissions in addition to helping create job-training programs at a local community college and the Arkansas Office of Workforce Development. She currently serves as an advisory board member for the Independent Women's Forum (IWF) Center for Energy and Conservation, an advisory board member of the 2025 Project, a member of the Board of Directors of The Conservative Caucus, Membership Director of the black leadership group, Proj. 21, a member of the Heritage Foundation African American Advisory Council, and a member of the Board of Advisors of Our America. She is a former divinity graduate of Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. It was there that she was taught the gift of administration as a vital part of the Christian ministry. Donna is a firm believer in free markets and entrepreneurship, rather than government, as a means of lifting people out of poverty.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Donna and Sam recap some of the top headlines from the weekend's Michigan Democratic Party Convention! Many celebrated over the weekend as Michigan progressives scored key victories. Michigan Democrats say they are closer together ahead of the midterm elections, despite the existing divisions within the party over foreign wars and corporate power.Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Washtenaw County prosecutor Eli Savit secured nominations for Secretary of State and Attorney General at the endorsement convention.However, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Jordan Acker were booed by party delegates on Sunday. The outbursts illustrated the major divide between Democrats as leaders attempt to unite ahead of the 2026 midterms. Acker was ultimately ousted by civil rights attorney Amir Makled as nominee for the University of Michigan Board of Regents while Stevens will face Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate Primary in August. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network Presents... Amplify Outside!Welcome to the Amplify Outside podcast, a show with a mission of amplifying nuanced approaches to Intersectional Environmentalism centered in no other than Detroit, Michigan. For our first episode we meet host Ian John Solomon and speak with the City of Detroit's Director of Sustainability Tepfirah Rushdan about what makes Detroit green.Follow along on Socials @AmplifyOutside!Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

Wednesday's EM Morning Brief for April 22, 2026 leads with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' Super Typhoon Sinlaku major disaster declaration package now with the President; today's opening of a FEMA Disaster Assistance Center in Whatcom County, Washington; and Federal Register publication of Presidential Public Assistance declarations for Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. The brief also covers CISA's eight new Known Exploited Vulnerability entries and ten fresh ICS advisories, Kīlauea's escalation to WATCH/ORANGE ahead of lava fountaining episode 45, the East Side Fire south of Red Lodge, Arizona's Shaw Fire, Michigan's U.P. flooding emergency, Iowa's five-county disaster proclamation, USDA drought designations across North Carolina and Tennessee, and Florida's Red Flag fire weather. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast.Key Takeaways• CNMI Sinlaku declaration: Governor Apatang's major disaster request, with DHS sign-off, is with the President; response expected within 24 hours and includes 100 percent federal cost share for debris and protective measures.• Whatcom County DAC opens today: FEMA Disaster Assistance Center opens at Sumas Advent Christian Church for December storm and flooding survivors; application deadline is June 10.• Federal Register: Idaho, Montana, Oregon: Presidential Public Assistance declarations for December 2025 windstorm and storm/flooding events are formally published today, opening applicant intake windows.• CISA KEV and ICS advisories: Eight exploited CVEs added to KEV — including three Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager flaws — with April and May federal remediation deadlines; ten new ICS advisories including critical Siemens and Silex items.• Kīlauea WATCH/ORANGE: HVO raised alert level to WATCH/ORANGE on April 20 evening; lava fountaining episode 45 likely to begin April 22 or 23.• Montana East Side Fire: 1,500 to 1,600 acres south of Red Lodge with 185 homes evacuated; forecast 40 to 50 mph gusts may challenge containment today.• Arizona Shaw Fire: Forward progress stopped near Cochise Stronghold at roughly 20 acres with two structures lost; crews working toward containment.• Michigan U.P. flooding: State of emergency extended to Iron and Marquette counties on April 20; snowmelt and rain continue to drive river-level concerns.• Iowa disaster proclamation: Five counties designated under Governor Reynolds' April 20 proclamation; Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program activated through May 20.• USDA drought designations: 40 NC counties and 22 TN counties (plus seven contiguous TN counties) designated; emergency loans available through December 10.• Florida fire weather: Red Flag Warning across NE and Central Florida through 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday; 99 percent of Florida in drought with rapid-spread risk.• Severe weather outlook: SPC Day 2 Slight risk Thursday from northern Oklahoma into southern Minnesota for very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes.SponsorsThe NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/SourcesFEMA• Disaster Assistance Center Will Open in Whatcom County — FEMA press release announcing the April 22 DAC opening at Sumas Advent Christian Church.• Apply Separately for State, Federal Assistance for December Storms in Washington — April 21 FEMA notice outlining dual application tracks for Washington.• Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Montana (FR) — Federal Register publication of FEMA-4901-DR.• Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Idaho (FR) — Federal Register publication of FEMA-4905-DR.• Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Oregon (FR) — Federal Register publication of Oregon Public Assistance declaration.DHS / NTAS• National Terrorism Advisory System — DHS NTAS page — no active advisories.• Recovery Rundown — CNMI Sinlaku (April 21) — Status of CNMI declaration request on the President's desk (DHS Secretary sign-off).CISA• CISA Adds Eight Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog — Official CISA alert adding eight exploited CVEs (Official update ~36 hours ago).• ICS Advisories (CISA) — Hub page for April 21 ICS advisories (ICSA-26-111-03 through -12).• CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog — Authoritative KEV catalog with federal due dates.State Department• Travel Advisories (Travel.State.Gov) — Authoritative current advisory list and Level indicators.USGS / Volcano & Seismic• Kīlauea Volcano Update — HVO updates on episode 45 precursory activity.• HVO Notice — April 21, 2026 (18:14 UTC) — Formal HANS notice reflecting Kīlauea WATCH/ORANGE escalation.• Mount Spurr (AVO) — Alaska Volcano Observatory status for Mount Spurr.NIFC / Wildfire• Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) — National wildland fire situation reporting hub.• NIFC Monthly Outlook (April 1, 2026) — Predictive Services monthly seasonal outlook covering April.• InciWeb — Authoritative incident information system (Shaw Fire, East Side Fire).NWS / SPC• SPC Day 1 Convective Outlook (April 21, 2000 UTC) — SPC Day 1 hazard outlook.• SPC Day 2 Convective Outlook — SPC Day 2 hazard outlook (Thursday enhanced risk setup).FAA / Transportation• FAA National Airspace System Status — NAS status and active airport events (SFO).Arizona• Shaw Fire — forward progress stopped — Arizona's Family update on Shaw Fire status and structures destroyed.• Shaw Fire 70% contained (April 22) — Next-morning containment update.Florida• Red Flag Warning (News4JAX) — NE Florida / SE Georgia Red Flag Warning context and drought status.Hawaii• Kīlauea Alert Level Raised to Watch — Local confirmation of escalation to WATCH/ORANGE.Idaho• President Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for Idaho (IOEM) — Idaho Office of Emergency Management announcement.• FEMA to allow access to disaster relief support (Bonner County Daily Bee, April 21) — Local coverage of the FEMA aid process for the windstorm.• Minidoka Memorial Hospital updates Easter morning cyberattack — DataBreaches.Net update on Minidoka Memorial incident and Blackwater claim.Iowa• Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for Five Counties (April 20) — Official press release naming the five counties and programs activated.• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency (April 20, 2026) — Text of the Governor's proclamation.Michigan• Gov. Whitmer declares state of emergency for Marquette, Iron Counties — Local coverage of U.P. emergency extension.• Flooding emergencies declared for two more Michigan counties — Detroit News report on April 20 executive action.• 2026 Statewide Flooding (Michigan State Police) — Michigan State Police EMHSD statewide flooding operations page.Montana• East Side Fire burns 1,600 acres, 185 evacuated (Daily Montanan) — Reporting on fire size, evacuations, and resources.• UPDATE: Crews beat back Red Lodge fire to 1,500 acres — Billings Gazette status update.North Carolina• USDA Designates 40 North Carolina Counties as Natural Disaster Areas — Official USDA FSA designation and emergency loan details.Oregon• FEMA approves disaster aid for Oregon after December 2025 storms — Local coverage of Oregon disaster approval context.Tennessee• USDA Designates 22 Tennessee Counties as Natural Disaster Areas — Official USDA FSA designation for Tennessee.Washington• Applications open for $2.5M in Washington state disaster assistance — Governor Ferguson press release on state-level parallel assistance.• FEMA disaster assistance center to open Wednesday in Sumas — Local coverage of the DAC opening.Territories (CNMI)• The Recovery Rundown: CNMI Sinlaku (April 21, 2026) — Territorial readout on the presidential declaration package.• FEMA assesses damage after Super Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall in CNMI — Context on damage-assessment operations. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Ralph welcomes Haley Hinkle, policy counsel at Fairplay to tell us about how a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for harming children's mental health and safety, violating state law. Then when present highlights from last week's symposium on impeachment, featuring Dennis Kucinich, CIA whistleblower, Jeffrey Sterling, Public Citizen co-president, Rob Weissman, GW law dean Alan Morrison and many more.Haley Hinkle is policy counsel at Fairplay, where she advocates for laws and regulations that protect children and teens' autonomy and safety online. Ms. Hinkle has also worked on issues at the intersection of government surveillance technology and civil liberties.We saw a lot of that in the discovery for these cases and other lawsuits that are currently being brought against the companies—that they have a lot of internal research where they're very specific with their features. And also their safety features. They test them to make sure safety features aren't too effective. They don't reduce too much screen time. And this is completely overwhelming for young brains. And it's completely overwhelming for families that are trying to make the choice between protecting their children and isolating them from the virtual spaces where all of their friends and classmates are gathering. And so it's not straightforward. And in many cases, the parental controls or settings that may give a family some semblance of control are not usually very effective.Haley HinkleI think if juries continue to make such resounding decisions on behalf of families, that's maybe going to motivate these companies to try to find ways to avoid further jury trials and to settle. But all of this raises the fact that as these processes continue (and they're so important), we can't wait for lawmakers to do their part to also step in and act and try to get some strong rules of the road in place to fill the void that has created this situation.Haley HinkleWe're in a moment right now where we have to decide who we are as a people—not who the President is. We already have an estimation of that. The question is who we are. Because, with few exceptions, almost each and every statement the President has made in the last month has been an impeachable offense. He is a walking, talking impeachment machine.Dennis KucinichLet me remind everybody watching this and this panel that this entire Congress is complicit in every crime of this administration for letting Donald Trump pass that threshold into his illegal presidency by not upholding Section 3 of the 14th Amendment on January 6, 2025. I am preaching to the choir if I tell this audience that we have passed so many thresholds when accountability should have happened, when somebody's foot should have been put down, and this should have stopped. This obscene, lawless war launched by a draft dodging pedophile domestic terrorist in concert with an international war criminal…Generations are going to be looking back to this moment to see what those people, those men and women (Democrats and Republicans in that body, but at the end of the day, human beings with moral compasses somewhere deep within themselves) were doing when American democracy was being burned to the ground.Jessica Denson, founder of the Removal CoalitionNews 4/10/26* This week, many felt that the U.S. came as close to a nuclear conflagration as it has since the Cuban Missile Crisis, as President Trump whipsawed between vowing that Iran's “'whole civilization will die” and striking peace deals with the Islamic Republic. Ultimately, the U.S., Iran and Israel all signed a two-week cease-fire agreement, mediated by Pakistan, including a provision that Iran will “allow oil, gas and other vessels to proceed unmolested” through the Strait of Hormuz, per the New York Times. However, this is just a cease-fire – not a peace treaty – and is being immediately pushed to the brink as Israel continues their ongoing, devastating assault on Lebanon. The Guardian reports that both Iran and Pakistan view Lebanon as included within the deal, while Israel maintains that it is a separate matter. In retaliation, Iran is now demanding tolls as high as $2 million per ship to pass through the Strait. With Israel showing little interest in acceding to a ceasefire in Lebanon, it seems unlikely this crisis will be resolved swiftly.* In the lead up to Trump's address Tuesday night, a large number of Democrats came out publicly in favor of Trump's removal via the 25th amendment, or failing that, a new congressional impeachment effort. According to Axios, this group includes both progressives like AOC, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as well as more moderate members, including even Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Some Democratic Senators, including Senators Ed Markey and Ron Wyden also signaled their support. Perhaps most strikingly, former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called for Trump to be removed through an invocation of the 25th amendment, though she stopped short of calling for impeachment. This all coincided with Congressman John Larson introducing a new set of 13 articles of impeachment – that he may soon force a vote on under House Rule IX – and the legal symposium on impeachment organized by our own Ralph Nader and friend of the show Bruce Fein, available on C-SPAN.* Leading the moral opposition to the Iran war meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV – the first American Pope – has come out in opposition, telling journalists that “all people of goodwill” should “always search for peace and not violence… [and] reject war,” emphasizing that many have called this war “unjust” and that it is ”continuing to escalate and…not resolving anything.” Pope Leo stressed that “the innocent: children, the elderly, the sick…will become victims of this continued warfare.” The pontiff even went so far as to conclude with a call for political action, urging the people of the world “to contact the authorities—political leaders, congressmen—to ask them, to tell them, to work for peace and to reject war and violence.” This from Vatican News.* However, this is just the latest flashpoint between Pope Leo and the Trump administration. Administration officials were already irate with the Vatican earlier this week, following Pope Leo's statements on Easter Sunday, when he called for world leaders to give up their “desire to dominate others” and “the imperialist occupation of the world.” In response, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby – grandson of former CIA Director William Colby – reportedly told Vatican officials that “America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world,””and “The Catholic Church had better take its side.” They also reportedly invoked the Avignon Papacy, implying that the United States could sponsor an heretical anti-pope as an alternative for rightwing Catholics. This exchange was apparently so shocking that Vatican officials canceled a planned American visit by the first American Pope. This from Newsweek.* Another deeply immoral story comes to us from Michigan, where the Detroit News reports Danhao Wang – a Chinese electrical and computer engineering research assistant at the University of Michigan – has died after falling from an upper level of the George G. Brown Building. According to this report, the university's police department is investigating this incident as a “possible act of self harm,” but Chinese authorities are demanding an investigation into his death, noting that it came on the heels of Wang enduring “hostile questioning” by federal law enforcement. This tragedy has occurred within the context of a Trump administration-led “crackdown” on foreign influence at U.S. universities. The Chinese Consulate in Chicago meanwhile put out a public statement decrying that “For some time now, the U.S. has overstretched the concept of national security for political manipulation and groundlessly interrogated and harassed Chinese students and scholars,” like Wang, implying some role in his death, while simultaneously “infring[ing] on Chinese citizens' legitimate and lawful rights and interests, poison[ing] the atmosphere of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the U.S., and creat[ing] a serious chilling effect.” The Consulate is also demanding that law enforcement “carry out a full investigation, give the family of the victim and the Chinese side a responsible explanation, stop any discriminatory law enforcement targeting Chinese students and scholars in the U.S., and stop imposing wrongful convictions.”* Elsewhere in the midwest, Republican lawmakers in Ohio are taking first steps to do something about the out of control sports gambling epidemic. These legislators have introduced two bills, one designed to ban in-game gambling, parlay and prop bets and wagers on all college athletics and a second bill which would prohibit the “use of credit cards to make bets…[limit] bets to $100 and only [allow] up to eight wagers per 24 hour [period].” It would also ban ads during events broadcast live. However, the number one biggest rule these laws would impose would be banning online sports gambling period. Republican State Rep. Gary Click is quoted saying “[We're] going to put some common sense consumer protections in place to protect Ohio citizens.” Yet, this report also notes a huge loophole in these bills: they would not apply to prediction markets like Polymarket or Kalshi, just pure sportsbooks. This from ABC News 5 Cleveland.* Turning back to foreign affairs, French authorities have arrested Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Jean-luc Mélenchon left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party. The charge? According to Al Jazeera, suspicion of “apology for terrorism” for a post that referenced Kozo Okamoto, a participant in the deadly attack at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport in 1972. However, Hassan's allies in the LFI see this as a thinly veiled attempt to silence pro-Palestine voices. Sophia Chikirou, an LFI MP said “The French police and justice system are being used to intimidate those who support the Palestinian people,” while Mélenchon himself wrote “So there is no longer parliamentary immunity in France. Intolerable.” Mathilde Panot, an MP and head of the LFI delegation in the National Assembly, said “the criminalisation of political opponents has reached a new level,” under President Emmanuel Macron and demanded that “This relentless attack, trampling on the most fundamental rights, must end immediately.”* Our final stories this week cover Latin America. First, a delegation of American members of Congress, including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Jonathan Jackson, visited Cuba in an attempt to see “firsthand the devastation and suffering caused by the U.S. blockade of fuel,” according to Jayapal. In their joint statement, Jayapal and Jackson wrote that they met with “families, religious leaders, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, the Cuban government, Latin American and African ambassadors, humanitarian aid organizations, and Cubans across the political spectrum, including dissidents,” all of whom demanded an end to the blockade. Further, they wrote that they witnessed “premature babies in incubators, weighing just two pounds, who are at tremendous risk because their ventilators and incubators cannot function without electricity. Children cannot attend school because there is no fuel for them or their teachers to travel. Cancer patients cannot receive lifesaving treatments because of lack of medications. There is a water shortage because there is little electricity to pump water. Businesses have closed. Families cannot keep food refrigerated, and food production on the island has dropped to just 10 percent of the people's needs.” They concluded by calling for “real negotiations” between both countries. Sadly, it is unlikely that those will come after such a long, acrimonious relationship since the 1959 revolution.* Next, in Venezuela, NPR reports that the Office of Foreign Assets Control – a division of the Treasury Department – has lifted sanctions on acting President Delcy Rodríguez. NPR notes that this sanctions relief “allows Rodríguez to more freely work with U.S. companies and investors.” In a statement on the platform Telegram, Rodríguez wrote “We value President Donald Trump's decision as a step toward normalizing and strengthening relations between our countries...We trust that this progress will allow for the lifting of current sanctions against our country, enabling us to build and guarantee an effective bilateral cooperation agenda for the benefit of our people.” Yet, her presidency rests on shaky legal grounds. While the Trump administration recognizes her as the “sole Head of State” the Venezuelan political system still recognizes Nicolás Maduro as the rightful president and Rodríguez as acting president for just 90 days – a window that is ending as we record this segment – though the National Assembly, presided over by her brother, can extend her acting term by six months. After that point however, the future of Venezuela looks far murkier, particularly if Maduro remains in U.S. custody.* Finally, in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that her government will consolidate the various branches of the Mexican public health apparatus – including the Mexican Social Security Institute, the Social Security Institute and Social Services of Workers of the State, and the IMSS Bienestar program – into a single Universal Health Service. According to TeleSUR English, President Sheinbaum stated that the “objective is that any citizen can attend any health institution and be guaranteed full and free coverage throughout the national system.” President Sheinbaum emphasized that “universal breast cancer care will also be incorporated, including mammograms, biopsies, and treatments at the nearest facility, expanding preventive and therapeutic coverage for women nationwide,” and that the plan would “ensure continuity of complex treatments for conditions such as cancer, HIV, kidney disease, and hemophilia, even if the patient loses or changes their health insurance coverage, preventing interruptions in critical therapies.” She hopes to have this system in place by next year. While Mexico has a much more robust public health infrastructure than the U.S. to begin with, it is remarkable how, with the right combination of administrative competence, popular government and political will, Sheinbaum is poised to achieve yet another social safety net expansion considered a complete political impossibility in this country in such a short window of time. Never let yourself be beaten down. A better world is possible.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe